C h a p t e r 1
Prewriting
T
hroughout Parts II and III of this book, you can find series of steps labeled Pre-
writing. The term generally refers to any kind of activity that helps you loosen
up, think about your topic, focus on purpose, analyze your audience, and otherwise
prepare to write. The prewriting steps vary with the kind of paper you are planning.
Some papers are obviously more complicated than others, and so some steps for get-
ting ready to write are also more complicated. For instance, one paper may require
thorough primary or secondary research, while another may demand nothing more
complicated than selecting and organizing appropriate details. In either case, pre-
writing activities lay the groundwork for a great paper.
Usually, the prewriting activities help you find a good topic, narrow topics that are too
broad, and look at purpose. You should finish the prewriting activities with at least a
sentence and a list. Or you may have something as formal as a three-part thesis sen-
tence and a fully developed outline. Either way, you’ll have laid the groundwork.
STEP 1: Gathering Thoughts and Information
What we write depends on what we think about. What we think about usually
depends on what has happened to us, perhaps as a result of what we have read,
heard, seen, or done. The first part of prewriting demands that we focus on our
thoughts, perhaps expanding them by seeking additional information. Probably a
dozen or so general activities help in finding a topic, but here we look at the follow-
ing most common activities:
• reading (specific assignments, general background, and research)
• discussion (group and interview)
• personal reflection
• journal writing
• brainstorming
• list making
• graphic organizers
• daily experiences (what you see, hear, and do)Reading: Specific Assignments. Reading is one way to prepare for writing. Perhaps
you have a reading assignment to which you must respond. Perhaps you are sum-
marizing the assignment, reacting to it, or in some other way showing that you have